English and the science subjects

Abstract

In his paper, 'Sex Differences in Science Achievement at G.C.E. 0 Level', Mr Ventura refers to an analysis by Falzon and Sammut of the results of rational examinations held in Government Secondary Schools in June-July 1975. Much against expectation, they found that girls scored significantly higher than boys even in a subject like General Science. In trying to account for this result, Falzon and Sammut hazarded that one of the reasons for the girls' superiority was their better grasp of English. Such a conclusion would give English a determining role in a candidate's success, or failure for that matter, in subjects where the language is the medium of instruction - of reading and writing and, often, of teacher's explanation.